Cable duct installation tool



Oct. 17, 1967 w. H. BINGHAM CABLE DUCT INSTALLATION TooL Filed Feb. 6, 1967 3 Sheets-*Sheet l BY Mug-A ATTORNEY Oct 17, 1967 w. H. BINGHAM CABLE DUCT INSTALLATION TOOL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 6, 1967 m YN @NUN o Y m m. @Nl

Ilm w m WILL/AM H. BINGHAM INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEY,

Oct. 17, 1967 W, H, B|NGHAM 3,347,521

CABLE DUCT INSTALLATION TOOL Filed Feb. 6, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WILLIAM H. BINGHAM INVENTOR.

A 7' TORNE Y United States Patent 3,347,521 CABLE DUCT INSTALLATION TOOL William H. Bingham, 8521 Friendship, Houston, Tex. 77055 Filed Feb. 6, 1967, Ser. No. 614,354 2 Claims. (Cl. 254-29) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Specific improvements in -apparatus including a hydraulic ram adapted to drive a sectional tubular metal conduit, the length of which may be progressively increased by connecting additional sections thereto .as the operation proceeds, under a paved surface from one side thereof.

This invention relates to a cable duct installation tool, and it concerns more particularly a hydraulically operable device for use in driving sectional tub-ular metal conduits under paved surfaces, such as airport runways, to provide ducts below the pavement, and extending across it from one side to the other, adapted to receive electrical cables.

Airport runways may be of the order of about 150 feet wide, for example, and it is not practical to break the paved surface of a runway, while the runway is in use, for the purpose of installing ducts below the pavement, and traversing the runway, for insertion of electrical cables.

An object of this invention is to provide practical, efcient means including a hydraulic ram adapted to drive a sectional tubular metal conduit, the length of which may be progressively increased by connecting additional sections thereto as the operation proceeds, under a paved surface from one side thereof, for the purpose described.

The invention relates to two specific improvements, as hereinafter described, in the invention shown and described in my Patent No. 2,991,974, dated July l1, 1961.

In my patent above mentioned I have shown and described, in a tool for driving a sectional tubular metal conduit under a paved surface, such as an airport runway, to provide a duct below the pavement extending across it from one side to the other, a novel structure which comprises, in combination, the lfollowing elements:

An integral track unit adapted to be arranged in a trench extending laterally outward-ly from the paved Surface, perpendicular to the adjacent side thereof, having a pair of elongated rail elements, channel shaped in transverse section, arranged in parallel, spaced apart relation to each other with their side flanges opposed, and having a supporting structure including a plurality of uniformly spaced cross bars whereby the elongated rail elements are connected intermediate their ends,

A carriage supported for longitudinal movement relative to the track unit and having wheels engageable between the flanges of the elongated rail elements,

A hydraulic ram on the carriage having its cylinder arranged on its side, parallel to the track unit, and having its plunger extending outwardly beyond one end ofthe carriage,

Means for removably connecting an .adjoining section of tubular metal conduit to the outer end of the plunger, in axially aligned relation thereto, and

Pawls pivotally connected to opposite ends of the carriage for selective engagement, respectively, with the cross bars to prevent longitudinal movement of the carriage in one direction while permitting movement of the carriage in the opposite direction in response to the action ofthe hydraulic ram, the pawls being operable al- 3,347,521" Patented Oct. 17, 1967 ternatively to thereby control the direction of movement:

of the carriage.

The improvements which comprise this invention are as follows:

l) The thrust of the device is `aligned axially with the conduit which is being driven. This is accomplished by providing two separate track units above and below the carriage, respectively, with their rail elements in opposing relation thereto, and providing separate wheels and pawls on the carriage for engagement with the rail elements and cross bars of the respective track units.

(2) A tapered, sectional driving head is provided for -attachment to the leading end of the conduit being driven. The driving head, by addition of sections and the use of adapters, is adapted for -use with conduits of different sizes.

The invention will be readily understood by referring to the following description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 1A together comprise a side elevational view, partly broken away to show details of construction, showing a cable duct installation tool embodying the invention operatively positioned in a trench extending laterally outwardly from a paved surface, perpendicular to the adjacent side thereof and below it;

FIGS. 2 and 2A together comprise a top plan View thereof, partly broken away;

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevational view on an enlarged -scale taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section-al view, taken on a median line, showing the driving head connected to the. leading end of the conduit being driven, which is shown fragmentarily; and

FIGS. 5 to 7 are views on an enlarged scale showing the coupling means connecting the plunger of the hydraulic ram to the rearward end of the conduit.

Referring to FIGS. 1 t-o 3 of the drawing, the numeral 1 designates generally -a paved surface such as an airport runway, which is shown fragmentarily, and the numeral 2 indicates a supporting earth formation on which it rests.'

The numeral 3 indicates a trench which extends laterally outwardly from one side of the paved surface 1, perpendicular to the adjacent side thereof and below it.

A track `assembly Vas hereinafter described, designated generally by the numeral 4, is arranged longitudinally of the trench 3 and rests on the bottom thereof.

The track assembly 4 comprises a pair of integral track units 5 which are arranged horizontally, one above the other, in spaced apart relation to each other, and are connected at their ends, as at 6, by removable fastening devices whereby they -are separable.

The track units 5 each include a pair of parallel, spaced apart elongated rail elements 7, channel shaped in transverse section, having their side flanges arranged in opposing relation to each other.

The respective track units 5 further include supporting structures each consisting lof a pair of side rails 8, right angular in transverse section, extending along one side of the respective rail elements 7, and a plurality of uniformly spaced cross bars 9 whereby the side rails 8 are connected intermediate their ends.

The track units S are assembled with the rail elements 7 of one unit in opposing relation to the corresponding rail elements of the other unit.

An abutment 10 is provided immediately adjacent the outer end of the trench 3 for engagement by the adjacent end of the track assembly 4 to prevent longitudinal displacement of the track assembly 4 in an outward direction relative to the trench 3.

The numeral 11 designates generally a hydraulic ram having a cylinder 12 and a plunger 13. A pair of flexible 3 conduits 14 are connected to opposite ends of the cylinder 12 whereby the cylinder 12 is adapted to be operatively connected to a source of uid pressure, such as a portable pump and engine unit, designated generally by the numeral 15, which as `shown is ,mounted on the track assembly 4.

The hydraulic ram 11 is mounted on a wheeled carriage as hereinafter described, indicated generally `by the numeral 16.

The carriage 16 has an elongated frame 17 which is formed in two longitudinal sections 18 which embrace, and cradle between them, the cylinder 12 of the hydraulic ram 11. T he sections 18 of the frame 17 are connected, as at 19, by removable fastening devices whereby they are separable. I

The sections 18 of the frame 17 each have two pairs of wheels 20 thereon, and in its operative position, as shown, the carriage 16, with the hydraulic ram 11 in place, is positioned between the track units of the track assembly 4, with the wheels of the carriage 16 in engagement with the side anges of the rail elements 7.

A pawl 21, and a pairiof pawls 22,are pivotally connected to the leading and trailing ends of the carriage 16 relative to its direction of movement in one direction, as hereinafter described.

The pawl 21 and one ofthe pawls 22, respectively, in their operative positions are selectively engageable with the cross bars 9 of one of the track units 5 to prevent longitudinal movement of the carriage 16 relative to the track assembly 4 in one -direction while permitting movement of the carriage 16 in the ,opposite direction in response to the action of the hydraulic ram 11.

Thepawls 22 face `in opposite directions, and one of them, which as shown is biased upwardly by means of a spring 23, is engageable with the cross bars 9 of the track unit 5 opposite said one of the track units, so that the pawls 22 of said pair are operable simultaneously and as one.

The pawls 21 and 22, which are employed alternatively to control the direction of movement of the carriage 16 relative to the track assembly 4,. are secured by hooks 24 attached to the frame 17 in their inoperative positions, in whichfthey are disengaged from the cross bars 9 of the respective track units 5.

The end of the carriage 16 which carries the pawls 22 is positioned nearest the outer end of the track assembly 4, facing the abutment 10, rearwardly of the carriage 16 relative to its movement in a forward direction as hereinafter described.,

A tubular metal conduit 25, whichy initially comprises a single section, and to which other sections advantageously may be connected as the operation proceeds, to thereby increase the length thereof progressively, is adapted to be connected to the outer end of the plunger 13 by an adapter, indicated generally by the numeralr 26,

as hereinafter described.

The adapter 26 includes an internally threaded tubular socket 27, which is receivable on a correspondingly threaded end portion of an adjoining section of the tubular metal conduit 25.'

The tubular socket 27 is closed at one end by a flat circular plate 28 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the tubular socket 27, whereby a marginal portion of the flat circular plate 28 forms a radially outwardly extending peripheral flange.

The adapter 26 is interchangeable with other like adapters having tubular sockets 27 of different sizes for use with conduits of varying diameter.

A flat circular plate 29, which corresponds to the plate 28,`is connected to the outer end of the plunger 13, as by welding.

The at circular plates 28, 29 are adapted to be -removably connected in mutually opposed relation to each other by means of a split ring having semi-circular sections 30, channel shaped in transverse section, and having an annular groove in its inner peripheral surface normally embracing the radially outwardly extending flanges comprising marginal portions of the opposed at circular plates 28,129.

The semicircula`r `sections 30 of the split ring connecting the hat circular plates 28, 29 are connected on one side, by a hinge 31, and are adapted to be removably` connected on the opposite side by a hinged bolt 32 having a wing` nut 33 applied thereto.

A tapered, sectional driving head as hereinafter described, designated generally by the numeral 34, advantageously may be applied to the forward end of lthe tubular metal conduit 2S,` opposite the adaptor 26. The driving head 34 `forms a spear head for use in penetrating the earth 2 below the paved surface 1 ahead ofthe tubular metal conduit 25, and its maximum diameter, immediately adjacent the tubular metal conduit 25, is larger than the diameter of the conduit whereby it is adapted to form a passage sufficiently large to accommodate the conduit without binding.

The driving head 34 comprises a iirst section 35 which coincides with its leading end and is pointed, one or more intermediate sections 36 of progressively increasing diameter which are connected to the first section and to each other, and a comparatively short adapter section 37, which may he selected from a series of like adapter sections of different sizes, whereby the driving head 34 is connected to the conduit 25.

The arrangement is such that the driving head 34, by addition of sections corresponding to the intermediate section 36and the selective use of adapters corresponding to the adapter section 37, is adapted for use with conduits 2S of different sizes.

Upon reciprocal movement of the plunger 13 relative to the cylinder 12 of the hydraulic ram 11, the tubular metal conduit 25 is adapted to bedriven into the earth 2 below the .paved surface 1, on each forward stroke of the plunger 13, a distance corresponding to the length of the stroke, the pawls 22 being in their operative positions and the carriage 16 and the cylinder 12 remaining stationary.

On each reverse stroke of the plunger 13 ,the cylinder 12 is advanced forwardly a distance corresponding to the length of the stroke, the plunger 13 being restrained against movement by frictional engagement of the earth 2 surrounding the conduit 25 and the carriage 16 being brought forward with'the cylinder 12.

The carriage 16 advantageously may be advanced forwardly continuously, by steps, by the operation of the hydraulic ram 11, as above described, a distance corresponding substantially to the length of a single section of the tubular metal conduit 25. Thereafter the direction of movement of the carriage 16 may be reversed, the pawl 21 being in its operative position, whereby the carriage 16 is returned to its original position, an additional secton may be connected to the conduit 25, and the .operation may lbe repeated.

The invention maybe modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

I claim:

1. In a tool for driving a sectional tubular metal conduit under a paved surface, such as an airport runway, to provide a duct below the pavement extending across it from one side to the other, comprising an integral track unit adapted to be arranged in a trench extending laterally outwardly from the paved surface, perpendicular tothe adjacent side thereof, having a pair of elongated rail elements, channel shaped in transverse section, arranged in parallel, spaced apart relation to each other with their side anges opposed, and having a supporting structure including a plurality of uniformly spaced cross bars whereby the elongated rail elements are connected intermediate their ends, a carriage supported for longitudinal movement relative to the track unit and having wheels engageable between the flanges of the elongated rail ele ments, a hydraulic ram on the carriage having its cylinder 5 arranged on its side, parallel to the track unit, and having its plunger extending outwardly beyond one end of the carriage, means for removably connecting an adjoining section of a tubular rnetal conduit to the outer end of the plunger, in axially aligned relation thereto, and pawls pivotally connected to opposite ends of the carriage for selective engagement, respectively, with the cross bars to prevent longitudinal movement of the carriage in one direction while permitting movement of the carriage in the opposite direction in response to the action of the hydraulic ram, the pawls being operable alternatively to thereby control the direction of movement of the carriage, the improvement which comprises a second like track unit arranged in parallel, spaced apart relation to said rst mentioned track unit and positioned on the opposite side of the carriage, with its rail elements in 0pposing relation thereto, other wheels on the carriage in operative engagement with the rail elements of said last mentioned track unit, and one or more other pawls 0n the carriage engageable with the cross bars thereof.

2. The structure of claim 1, and a tapered, sectional driving head for attachment to the leading end of said conduit, the driving head including a pointed Iirst section, one or more intermediate sections of progressively increasing ldiameter connected to said first section and to each other, and an adapter whereby the larger of the intermediate sections is adapted to be connected to the conduit, the arrangement being such that the driving head, by addition of Isections and the use of selected adapters, is adapted for use with conduits of different sizes.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,974,324 9/1934 Bailey 254-29 2,991,974 7/1961 Bingham 254-29 MILTON S. MEHR, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A TOOL FOR DRIVING A SECTIONAL TUBULAR METAL CONDUIT UNDER A PAVED SURFACE, SUCH AS AN AIRPORT RUNWAY, TO PROVIDE A DUCT BELOW THE PAVEMENT EXTENDING ACROSS IT FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER, COMPRISING AN INTEGRAL TRACK UNIT ADAPTED TO BE ARRANGED IN A TRENCH EXTENDING LATERALLY OUTWARDLY FROM THE PAVED SURFACE, PERPENDICULAR TO THE ADJACENT SAID THEREOF, HAVING A PAIR OF ELONGATED RAIL ELEMENTS, CHANNEL SHAPED IN TRANSVERSE SECTION, ARRANGED IN PARALLEL, SPACED APART RELATION TO EACH OTHER WITH THEIR SIDE FLANGES OPPOSED, AND HAVING A SUPPORTING STRUCTURE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF UNIFORMLY SPACED CROSS BARS WHEREBY THE ELONGATED RAIL ELEMENTS ARE CONNECTED INTERMEDIATE THEIR ENDS, A CARRIAGE SUPPORTED FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO THE TRACK UNIT AND HAVING WHEELS ENGAGEABLE BETWEEN THE FLANGES OF THE ELONGATED RAIL ELEMENTS, A HYDRAULIC RAM ON THE CARRIAGE HAVING ITS CYLINDER ARRANGED ON ITS SIDE, PARALLEL TO THE TRACK UNIT, AND HAVING ITS PLUNGER EXTENDING OUTWARDLY BEYOND ONE END OF THE CARRIAGE, MEANS FOR REMOVABLY CONNECTING AN ADJOINING SECTION OF A TUBULAR METAL CONDUIT TO THE OUTER END OF THE PLUNGER, IN AXIALLY ALIGNED RELATION THERETO, AND PAWLS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE CARRIAGE FOR SELECTIVE ENGAGEMENT, RESPECTIVELY, WITH THE CROSS BARS TO PREVENT LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF THE CARRIAGE IN ONE DIRECTION WHILE PERMITTING MOVEMENT OF THE CARRIAGE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IN REPONSE TO THE ACTION OF THE HYDRAULIC RAM, THE PAWLS BEING OPERABLE ALTERNATIVELY TO THEREBY CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF THE CARRIAGE, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES A SECOND LIKE TRACK UNIT ARRANGED IN PARALLEL, SPACED APART RELATION TO SAID FIRST MENTIONED TRACK UNIT AND POSITIONED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE CARRIAGE, WITH ITS RAIL ELEMENTS IN OPPOSING RELATION THERETO, OTHER WHEELS ON THE CARRIAGE IN OPERATIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RAIL ELEMENTS OF SAID LAST MENTIONED TACK UNIT, AND ONE OR MORE OTHER PAWLS ON THE CARRIAGE ENGAGEABLE WITH THE CROSS BARS THEREOF. 